Billboards vs. Reality: What I Found in a Corporate-Serviced Crawl Space
Introduction
Uncovering More Shoddy Work
DOING BUSINESS WITH THESE OTHER COMPANIES IS A CRAPS SHOOT
You've seen their billboards all over Nashville.
Their commercials play at every gas station.
But what happens after these big corporate crawl space companies finish their work?
Well, I just got a call to check one of their jobs, and what I found might surprise you.
I'm Josh, owner of Crawl Logic, and I've seen both sides of this industry.
I used to work for one of these big companies before starting my own business.
That experience taught me exactly what homeowners need to watch out for.
The Immediate Red Flags
The first thing that caught my eye? A undersized dehumidifier crammed right next to the ductwork. Here's why that's a problem - dehumidifiers need good airflow on both sides to work properly. Putting one against a wall or ductwork is like trying to breathe with a hand over your mouth. It just can't do its job right.
But that wasn't all. The dehumidifier wasn't even level. There was gunk built up in the tubing from years without service. And the trash left behind from the installation? Still there, years later. This is what happens when companies care more about getting to the next job than doing the current one right.
The customer called because they thought they needed a new dehumidifier.
Instead of checking if it could be fixed, the corporate company tried selling them:
- Mold removal (there's no mold)
- New insulation (the existing insulation is fine)
- New sump pump
- New dehumidifier
All for thousands of dollars they don't need to spend.
The Sales Tactics
Let me tell you what's really happening here. These big companies pay their salespeople on commission. So when they come out to look at a "broken" dehumidifier, they're not just looking to solve your problem - they're looking for anything they can add to the bill.
In this case, they tried scaring the homeowner with talk about mold (that doesn't exist) and bad insulation (that's actually fine). This is a classic commission grab. They know most homeowners can't crawl under their house to check these claims, so they use fear to make the sale.
Real Solutions vs. Commission Grabs
Here's the truth about this situation: This seven-year-old dehumidifier might just need some maintenance. Sure, it's out of warranty, but that doesn't automatically mean it needs replacing. I can probably take it apart and fix it myself. If we do need to replace it, we'll use a quality AprilAire unit - and we'll install it properly, with good airflow on all sides.
The difference? My solution might cost hundreds instead of thousands. Because I'm not here to sell you things you don't need - I'm here to fix what's actually wrong.
What Quality Crawl Space Work Looks Like
When you hire someone to work on your crawl space, here's what you should expect:
- Equipment installed with proper clearance for airflow
- Dehumidifiers that are correctly sized and level
- Clean installation with no trash left behind
- Regular maintenance recommendations
- Clear explanations of what's actually needed
You wouldn't leave trash all over your kitchen after a remodel. Why should your crawl space be any different? Every job we do gets cleaned up properly, with equipment installed correctly the first time.
How to Protect Yourself
Look, I get it - when a salesperson tells you there's mold or damage under your house, it's scary. But don't let fear push you into unnecessary repairs.
Here's what you can do to protect yourself:
Ask Simple Questions:
- Can you show me photos of the problems?
- Is this repair urgent or can it wait?
- What happens if we don't fix this now?
- Are there any simpler solutions we can try first?
If they pressure you or can't give straight answers, that's a red flag.
The Bottom Line
Those flashy billboards and gas station commercials?
They're expensive.
Guess who ends up paying for them - the customer, through unnecessary repairs and inflated prices.
I've built my business on doing things differently:
- Honest assessments of what's really needed
- Fixing what can be fixed
- Replacing only what needs replacing
- No commission grabs or scare tactics
- Clean, professional work every time
Ready for a Thorough Inspection?
If you're worried about your crawl space or want a second opinion, I'm happy to take a look.
You'll get my honest assessment - not a sales pitch.
And remember, you're dealing directly with me, the owner, not a commission-based salesperson.
Give me a call or text for a free inspection.
Unless it's a major holiday, I'll get back to you quickly.
Let's figure out what's really going on under your house.
